With so many students involved in mischievous behaviors, the university has increased enforcement of the code of conduct in order to maintain a more disciplined institution.
After a thorough review of the 2009-2010 school year, the Prairie View administration adopted a “zero tolerance” policy in which there would be no excuse for student misconduct.
According to Dr. Miron P. Billingsley, associate vice president for student affairs, last semester alone, there were over ten incidents, including fighting, stabbing, theft, and hazing that could have been avoided if students practiced the regulations outlined in the student code of conduct.
Within three months, at least three cases of hazing had arisen among organizations including departmental organizations, Greek fraternities, and community service organizations.
This misconduct resulted in the suspension of membership intake as well as the suspension of some of the students involved and the removal of students from leadership positions on campus.
Hazing was just one of the many issues that had arisen with student misconduct. Months after a student was shot outside the William “Billy” J. Nicks Building, following the homecoming step show after party another was stabbed at a home basketball game.
Occurrences with marijuana and food fights have also been reported.
Dr. Lauretta Byars, vice president of student affairs and institutional relations, said, “It’s disrespectful to participate in things such as food fights, not only to the employees of the cafeteria, but to those who are starving in places like Haiti, and other parts of our own country. Our job is to help students value the education that they are getting here. How can you value the fact that others made sacrifices for you to come here, if you’re doing things like that?”
Billingsley challenged students to “do better” and help improve the standards of the university.
“You often hear students and others saying ‘PV must do better.’ In order for Prairie View to become better, students must take a stand and abide by the code of conduct set forth by this university. Dressing appropriately and taking initiative when they are in the presence of inappropriate behavior are small steps that students can take to improve the standards of student life on campus,” Billingsley said.
Student Conduct Officer Tim Albert has taken action in order to implement the code of conduct, which has resulted in a variety of disciplinary actions.
Albert first summons students notifying them of the allegations. They are given the opportunity to either confess if guilty or gather evidence to prove their innocence. They are then called in for a hearing that outlines the actions taken in response to the incident.
Albert’s purpose is not to decide who is good or bad, his role is to determine whether or not students have violated the code of conduct.
“There are three sides to every story, your side, the other person’s side, and the truth,” said Albert.
Some students also feel that this behavior has gotten out of control.
Sophomore Jasmine Rusk said, “Students here at Prairie View have lost a sense of the rich history of this institution and seem to no longer respect all that the slaves worked this plantation and the African-Americans who came before us sacrificed so that we could be here.”
Albert agreed with Rusk saying, “this is an institution of higher learning, where we develop scholars and achievers. Students need to keep this in mind and focus on learning.”
Housing has also adopted the idea of placing much more emphasis on enforcing regulations. Consequences sometimes include eviction.
Cene Little-Ferguson, junior and community assistant in University Village, said, “We have a zero tolerance for drugs, alcohol and pets. We’re cracking down on visitation and management must approve overnight guests. Read your lease so that you’re aware of the violations.”
With over 8,000 students, it seems as if it has become even more difficult to uphold the vision set forth by the first eight students at what was then Alta Vista College in 1876, which was to be the “ideal Prairie View men and women.”
“We have now gone in the opposite direction. It will take the partnership of all students to get back toward that vision. Students must abide by the code of conduct as misconduct is simply unacceptable,” said Rusk.
The code of conduct is available in school planners as well as on the school Web site.